Takeharu WT-500

Copy of Martin Dreadnought guitar, according to seller a D45, but it seems it must be a copy of a D35 because of the 3-piece back (I would like a comment on this). Brazilian(!) rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top. Hexagon inlays on fretboard. "Gold" tuners. Made in Japan in 1977, the same date as my birth (good point for me...). I showed this guitar to Perry Stenb??ck today, he has been voted and nominated as Denmarks best guitar-player several years (DMA/denmarks Grammy); he loved it and thought it was a copy of a D42 (this is no official statement from him, I hope I am allowed to write this). I am trying to get more information on what model it is a copy of. 14 frets, 20 total. I got a Highlander pickup installed (no volume-control or eq, but really good sound). No false frets that I can hear (butI just have had it one week so far). Mother of pearls linings around the sides, back and front and the soundhole). Some yellowing of the "white" color on the neck. I bought the guitar from tfoa.eu (The Fellowship of Acoustics in Holland); great and fast service - I really recommend them.

Really great sounding guitar. Personally I have never played a better sounding guitar. It has a slightly metallic sound, but still has a lot of bass and brightness. Really long sustain in the sound. I am no expert, but I know good sound in an instrument.

Nice action, easy to play. A little fret-noise, but nothing I worry about. The original metallic bridge had to be changed because of problems while installing the Highlander-pickup (some of the tones was lower then the rest). The seller took care of it, included in the price I paid. There is one thing that is slightly annoying; the tuning-screwsare much more sensitive than newer screwes, that means it is slightly harder to fine-tune the guitar compared to newer Martins for instance.

I have done two concerts on this guitar allready, and it functions great. Only thing is I cant control the eq/volume from the guitar. The guitar seems to have been well used, but has some scratches here and there. It seems to be really high workmanship (maybe because of Japanese high work-ethics?). Very nice finish, but it is used. I would use it on a gig without a backup. The only thing is the tuning that is a little sensitive for my taste.

I dont think the manufacturer exists any longer. Maybe they delivered too good quality for a too low price or something like that... No warranty, but I will definatly insure the instrument. I warmly recommend buying from the online store I bought it though (tfoa.eu), I got extremely fast response to my requests about the guitar, and they delivered great service in all ways. I feel that I have made a great buy; I am not that into collecting instruments - it's more about the sound for me.

I have been playing since I was about 8 years old, but had a break of about 10 years, and now took up my old hobby to try to make a living out of songwriting. I own a Kasuga classical guitar from about the same time (late 1970-ies), and my appreciation of this Japanese guitar made me look especially for Japanese older guitars (I needed a Western-guitar). I also own a washburn 12-string that I dont use so much. If I could find one more for sale, I would buy it right now, to insure that future children would not have to fight over it... But I dont believe many would like to sell it, if they actually use their instruments (if you dont, please sell it to someone who will love it).